Reap What You Sow Mondays with Tony™:"Hidden Seasons, Holy Work": What God Develops in You When Nobody Is Watching

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Jul 7
4 min read

Welcome to another Reap What You Sow Mondays with Tony™, where we dig deep into the soul and shine a light on the quiet places of our walk with God. Today, we’re breaking the ground on a truth that every dreamer, disciple, and Kingdom builder must wrestle with:

Not everything that matters happens in the spotlight.

Sometimes the most powerful, transformational, destiny-shaping work happens in the dark, behind closed doors, and far from applause. It happens in hidden seasons.

🌒 Hidden Doesn’t Mean Forgotten

Just because you're unseen doesn’t mean you're unimportant. Just because the door hasn't opened doesn't mean God's not working. Some of the richest soil in your life is being turned when you feel the least noticed.

📖 Isaiah 49:2 (NIV): "He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver."

God hides what He values. He refines what He wants to use. If you feel tucked away right now, remember:

Concealment is part of your preparation.

🛠 Holy Work Is Slow, Deep Work

Holy work doesn’t always look like ministry with microphones, viral influence, or public favor. Sometimes it looks like:

Healing from old wounds
Studying the Word until it reshapes your thoughts
Forgiving people who don’t apologize
Leading your family in quiet faithfulness
Staying when it would be easier to leave
Saying no when the flesh says yes

📖 Matthew 6:6 (ESV): "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

God watches the secret place. He blesses the quiet obedience.

🌱 The Hidden Season Is the Root Season

Any strong tree you see above the surface is only standing because of what’s beneath it. The roots took time. They grew before there was fruit.

📖 Jeremiah 17:8 (NLT): "They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water... Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."

Your private obedience is producing public fruit.

Your secret tears are watering your future influence.

The things you think are being ignored? They’re being recorded in heaven.

👑 Biblical Examples of Hidden Seasons

1. David in the Fields

Before he ever wore a crown, David was tending sheep. Alone. Unseen. Forgotten by his family. But he was worshiping, writing psalms, fighting off lions, and growing in the presence of God.

📖 1 Samuel 16:11 — David wasn’t even invited to the anointing ceremony. But God knew exactly where he was.

God found him in the field before man ever saw him on the throne.

2. Joseph in the Prison

After being betrayed by his brothers and falsely accused, Joseph was placed in a prison for years. But even in that darkness, he interpreted dreams, managed the prison, and developed leadership.

📖 Genesis 39:21 — "But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love."

His gifts were sharpened in confinement, not in comfort.

3. Jesus in the Wilderness

Before His public ministry began, Jesus was led by the Spirit into a season of solitude, fasting, and testing.

📖 Luke 4:1-2 — "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness..."

Wilderness doesn’t mean weakness. It means readiness.

🔁 What God Develops in Hidden Seasons

Character — Hidden seasons strip away your need for praise and build integrity.
Endurance — Waiting with patience teaches you to trust God’s timing.
Clarity — Solitude sharpens your ears to God’s voice.
Dependence — Without crowds, you learn to lean solely on Him.
Anointing — There are some oils that only come from pressing. Hidden seasons are your olive press.

📖 Galatians 6:9 (NIV): "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

📝 Reflection Questions

Am I mistaking hiddenness for punishment instead of preparation?
What spiritual work is God asking me to focus on while no one is watching?
How is He developing my character when I’m not getting credit?
Do I trust God to reveal me at the right time?

🗣 Declaration

I am not forgotten. I am hidden.

I am not stuck. I am planted.

I am not wasting time. I am being refined.

God is doing holy work in me, and when the time is right, He will reveal the fruit.

🙏🏾 Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the hidden seasons. Thank You for doing deep work in me when no one else sees. Help me to trust that You are developing my character, my calling, and my capacity. I submit to the holy work You are doing behind the scenes. Let my private obedience produce public fruit that brings glory to You. In Jesus' name, amen.